Whether you're hunting upland game or hopping in a golf cart to navigate a sporting clays course, the classic over-under design has remained popular for generations and shows no signs of going out of style anytime soon. The downside? A quality over-under often comes with a hefty price tag. Stoeger is already well known for its catalog of affordable firearms produced throughout the years, with 2026 welcoming an addition to their lineup: the V7000. I recently spent time behind the trigger of this new scattergun and was eager to see what it brought to the table.
First Impressions
The V7000 comes in 12-gauge and 20-gauge configurations, with either a black or silver alloy receiver. The model I tested was chambered to accept 2¾” and 3” 12-gauge shells. Its black alloy receiver and set of blued 28” barrels were complemented by AA-grade satin walnut furniture, elevating its overall aesthetic while giving the overall package that "classic" shotgun feel. Checkering along the grip and forearm was included for additional grip during handling. Weighing approximately 6 lbs., it is noticeably lighter than many traditional over-unders currently available. Much of that weight reduction comes from the gun's aluminum alloy receiver, a feature you only truly appreciate after spending the whole day trudging through prairie land or walking point to point on a clays course. Shaving off weight also let me shoulder it much more smoothly and quickly than one weighing a couple more pounds.
Features
While some shooters prefer their setup packed with all sorts of bells and whistles, I, for one, am quite the opposite—at least as far as shotguns are concerned. I'd be lying if I said optics compatibility, customization options, and other popular features weren't fun to play around with, regardless of platform. Still, those additions typically come at a higher price. Over the years, I've come to really appreciate a manufacturer that can produce a gun that is just … clean … there's no other way to describe it. By that, I mean a streamlined platform that includes everything you need and nothing you don't, while still tossing in a few surprises along the way and keeping it affordable. Stoeger seems to have checked all those boxes with their new addition.
A ventilated rib runs the entire length of the gun, helping to dissipate heat and keep mirage rising off the barrel from blurring your vision. An extra bonus of this design is that it saves a bit of weight as opposed to ribs of a solid design. A fiber-optic front sight is located atop the end of the rib, simplistic yet entirely sufficient for dusting clays or harvesting wild game.
The V7000 uses a single selective trigger instead of a double-trigger design. The selector is incorporated into the tang-mounted safety and allows you to choose the order in which the barrels are engaged. This is most useful when running two different chokes, as it lets you switch between them based on how far out your intended target is. This shotgun comes with three choke tubes: Full, Improved Cylinder and Modified.
The gun is equipped with an automatic safety that engages whenever you open the action, done so by sliding the opening lever to the right. Doing so and breaking open the action took a little muscle on my part, but I’ve come to expect this to a certain extent when a gun is brand spankin’ new, and fully expect it to ease up a bit with extended use. So, as far as safeties are concerned, I typically prefer manual over automatic. Now, if we're being honest, that's only because, on several occasions, I've laughingly forgotten to flip it off safe after popping in a couple of fresh shells, and the shotgun didn't fire as intended shortly after I yelled, "pull!" leaving a clay to coast off into the sunset, unscathed.
One last thing that I was happy to see was that Stoeger had opted for automatic ejectors. Would it have been a big deal if it didn’t automatically eject spent shells when the action was opened? Of course not, and sometimes it can make cleaning up a bit easier. Of course, not having to manually pluck out spent shells does speed up reloading and gets you back on the clays or wild game faster than the alternative.
Preparing for the Range
For this review, I paired the Stoeger V7000 with Winchester Super Target Trap & Sporting Clays Heavy Target Load ammunition. These 12-gauge, 2¾” shells are loaded with #8 shot, a popular choice for clay-target shooting. These shotshells are also part of Winchester's limited-edition USA 250 line, released in honor of our country's 250th anniversary.
Instead of setting up a traditional clay-throwing machine, I brought along Caldwell's ClayCopter Handheld Thrower. This compact, battery-powered launcher spins specially designed biodegradable discs seated within it, bringing them up to speed before launching them into the air. Unlike a traditional clay pigeon, these discs can take on uniquely challenging flight paths that mimic a bird's unpredictable movement. The handheld design allows for an infinite number of launch angles and directions, keeping things fresh and fun every time you hit the range.
Handling and Shooting Performance
When shooting stationary targets, most shooters don't pay much attention to a shotgun's balance, how it shoulders, or its general maneuverability. Introducing a target that is flying through the sky makes these characteristics much more important, and it's easy to tell which ones swing well and which ones do not. Hunters typically prefer lighter options that are less of a workout when carrying afield. On the opposite side of the spectrum, those shooting clays will often gravitate toward slightly heavier options as the added weight helps them maintain momentum during their swing. I found the V7000's weight fell nicely in the middle of what wing shooters and clay shooters look for, serving each community well without slighting either one. It was light enough that I could shoulder it quickly and even track clays that abruptly changed flight paths due to wind gusts, yet still had enough heft to keep my swings smooth and controlled. So, long story short, a winning combination for a rather enjoyable afternoon of shooting.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, you can only learn so much about a particular firearm by reviewing its specifications and watching a handful of YouTube videos. You really find out what it's capable of by getting it out on the range, and after spending an afternoon behind the V7000, I can confidently say it's a shotgun I'd be happy to own. With a sub-$1,000 MSRP, you'll have room left over in the budget for a case of shells and clays, and we can all get behind that. For more information, visit stoegerindustries.com.
Specifications
• Manufacturer: Stoeger Industries
• Model Number: 36100
• Action: Over-under
• Barrel Length: 28”
• Overall Length: 45.4”
• Length of Pull: 14.5”
• Drop at Heel: 2.5”
• Drop at Comb: 1.5”
• Weight: 6 lbs.
• Barrel Finish: Blued
• Gauge: 12
• Chamber: 2¾” - 3”
• Capacity: 2
• Receiver: Black Alloy
• Stock & Forearm: AA-Grade Satin Walnut
• Sight: Red Fiber Optic Front Sight
• Chokes: IC, M, F
• MSRP: $949
